(a) The provisions of sections 26-14 and 26-15 shall remain in full force and effect, and there shall be appropriated to the Department of Environmental Protection for each fiscal year a sum not less than the total estimated receipts from fishing and hunting and trapping licenses for such year issued under the provisions of this chapter.

      (b) To the extent authorized by federal law or regulation, the Department of Environmental Protection shall supplement the funds appropriated to the department for fish and wildlife programs by taking full advantage of the annual apportionment made pursuant to the provisions of (1) Public Law 681, 81st Congress, entitled “An Act to Provide that the United States Shall Aid the States in Fish Restoration and Management Projects, and for Other Purposes”, approved August 9, 1950, and (2) the act of Congress entitled “An Act to Provide that the United States Shall Aid the States in Wildlife Restoration Projects, and for Other Purposes”, approved September 2, 1937. On or before February first, annually, the department shall submit a report to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations and the budgets of state agencies, which sets forth, for the twelve-month period ending the preceding September thirtieth, the amount of such federal funds received by the department, the amount of such funds expended and the purposes for which such funds were expended.